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Tourism is set for a record-breaking year in 2026. The World Travel and Tourism Council expects international visitor spending to reach $2.1 trillion, about $164 billion more than before the pandemic. The sector’s overall contribution to the global economy is forecast at $11.7 trillion, which is just over 10% of global GDP.
In short, there’s money being spent, and there’s a big opportunity to get in on the growth. If you have local knowledge, an innovative idea, or a passion for showing people your region, you can turn that into a profitable, sustainable business. Strong demand won’t replace good planning, but it does make the effort well worth your while.
In this guide, we’ll explain how to start a tourism business. We’ll walk you through the steps one at a time.
Define Your Niche & Value Proposition
First up, you need to define your niche. What’s a part of the tourism market you can own?
A niche can be location-based or audience-based, such as solo travellers seeking connection or corporate teams looking for structured team-building.
There’s room for growth in both areas, so consider which fits your expertise and resources.
Once you’ve locked down your niche, you can come up with a value proposition. This is the reason a traveller books with you instead of another operator. It might be in-depth local curation or a zero-waste operating model that appeals to environmentally conscious customers.
Market Research & Feasibility
You’ve got an idea. But will it actually work in the real world?
Find out whether or not there’s demand for your service before you invest in your business. For example, you might check seasonal visitor data from tourism boards and compare it with local flight arrivals, cruise ship schedules, and major event calendars. Or, identify quieter months where you could offer packages that fill capacity.
Write down all of the operators working in your target category, noting their inclusions, pricing, marketing approach, and customer feedback. Look for insights that show where they excel and where they miss opportunities.
Finally, compare these findings with broader trends such as learning-focused trips or the increase in companies booking outdoor experiences for teams. This gives you a crystal-clear picture of demand and potential competitive gaps to fill.
Business Planning Essentials
Now comes the logistics side of starting a business. This will include:
Legal & Operational Foundation
Register your business with the right authority and get the licences and permits your activities need, such as marine operation approvals or park access permissions. Secure insurance that covers public liability and the specific risks of your tours.
Financial Modelling
Write down all startup costs, from equipment and permits to marketing, recruitment, and training. Build a cash flow forecast that reflects your busy and quiet periods. Remember, your prices should cover all of your costs while still being competitive. You’ll need to be careful to protect your profit margin, too.
Direct Booking Setup
Choose a booking system that handles payments and resource allocation all in one place. This makes your life so much easier. A platform like Rezgo’s direct booking software also manages waivers and reservations, so you can make sure operations are running smoothly and give guests a consistently positive experience.
Product Design and Packaging
You need to decide what you want to offer before you promote your business. Build itineraries with clear durations, such as a two-hour city walking tour or a full-day wine route.
If your activity requires it, include equipment rentals like bikes or snorkelling gear.
Packages should work for different customers, too, from single-day and multi-day options to bundles that combine a rental with an experience. Everyone has their own preferences, so brainstorm how you can cater to them.
You might like to offer customers ways to upgrade with private guides, premium seating, tastings, or some other kind of bonus activity. During busy periods, experiment with upsells and dynamic pricing to adjust your rates based on demand and maximize your revenue. For more details, see our guide on How to Create Amazing Tour Packages.
Marketing Strategy and Sales Channels
You can have the best experience in your city. But if no one knows about it, no one can book it. Here’s how to get the word out with a marketing strategy.
Online Presence
Many tourists research and book experiences online. So, create a website that showcases your tours and makes booking easy (and secure). Optimize it for niche search terms — think about what your ideal client would Google to find you, and use those phrases on your site.
Include content that attracts and engages visitors, too, like blog articles, travel tips, photo galleries, and customer testimonials.
Distribution Channels
Accept bookings directly through your own booking software so you control payment and customer data. You can also reach new markets by listing on selected third-party channels like OTAs or Google Things to Do, and integrating those with your booking software for centralized channel management.
Partnerships and Collaborations
Partnerships can broaden your reach and introduce you to new audiences.
Strike a deal with local hotels to set up referral packages, or offer commission-based arrangements to travel agents or tour desks.
You could even partner with influencers who can post about your tours on their social media platforms.
Think about combining your tours with other operators to create bundled experiences for corporate events or multi-activity days.
Operations and Customer Experience
Now, let’s take a look at the business end of your launch.
Staffing and Guides
Your guides set the tone for the entire experience. Hire people who know your location or activity in detail. During peak demand, seasonal freelancers can cover extra departures without increasing permanent payroll. Consistent training across all staff makes sure service standards stay high. Remember, even one bad review can cost your business paying customers.
Resource Management
Equipment needs to be available and in working order when the tour starts. A fixed maintenance schedule prevents downtime for assets like bikes, kayaks, or safety gear.
Rentals can add revenue and appeal to independent travelers who don’t bring their own equipment.
Guest Experience Flow
The full journey should be planned before your first booking goes live. It might include things like:
- Customers receive accurate confirmations and timed reminders.
- Digital waivers reduce delays at check-in.
- Upsell offers are sent in pre-arrival emails, when they’re most effective.
- Feedback is collected after each tour.
Map out the flow from start to finish.
Launch Strategies and Growth Tactics
A soft launch allows you to refine and perfect your operations with limited tours and early-bird pricing. Plus, verified reviews and strong testimonials build trust for your main launch.
And as for growth tactics, low-season activity can include targeted local promotions and content that keeps your audience engaged.
Scaling and Innovation
The sky is the limit!
Your offer can grow into virtual tours, self-guided experiences, or corporate event packages. Newer technologies like AR or VR previews can expand your reach, while sustainability-focused experiences can strengthen your brand identity.
Use your passion and creativity to shape an experience to remember.
Ready to start your tourism business? Sign up for free to see how a booking system can support your growth with no upfront cost.
Written By | Rezgo
